Forest Knowledge Gateway
Forest restoration and integrative management.

This illustrated guide presents practical approaches for managing protective forests in the Alps under climate change and increasing natural hazards. Developed within the MOSAIC project, it compiles best practices, silvicultural measures, biotechnical solutions, and real-world case studies from across the Alpine region. The publication highlights how resilient forests can reduce risks from avalanches, rockfalls, landslides, storms, bark beetle outbreaks, and wildfires while providing broader ecosystem benefits. Recommended measures include improving stand stability, diversifying tree species, managing natural regeneration, restoring forests through planting and seeding, and using deadwood strategically to enhance protection. The guide also showcases innovative tools, monitoring systems, nature-based solutions, and cross-border experiences from Slovenia, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland. Overall, it promotes integrated, adaptive forest management as a cost-effective and sustainable approach to disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in mountain landscapes.

The LIFEProForPES project evaluates EU-funded initiatives to identify effective approaches for sustaining forest ecosystem services (FES) and scaling successful practices across Europe. The current report analysed 108 Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) and PES-like schemes using a Capital Asset Framework to assess project design, implementation arrangements, outcomes, and barriers to success.

The analysis combined data from previous Europe-funded projects, literature reviews, expert surveys, and interviews. PES outcomes were evaluated across human, social, natural, financial, and institutional capital, while also examining operational, institutional, and financial arrangements.

Results show that PES schemes mainly target regulating ecosystem services, especially water management. They have generated positive impacts on community engagement, employment, and environmental outcomes, but have had limited effects on household income. While local funding mechanisms are generally effective, European funding frameworks are often hindered by administrative complexity and bureaucratic requirements. Key challenges include financial constraints, limited stakeholder awareness, insufficient transparency, and weak community participation. At the same time, opportunities exist to strengthen public–private partnerships, improve governance, and harness new technologies. Overcoming these barriers is essential to enhance the long-term effectiveness and scalability of PES initiatives in Europe.

This article features the EU-Horizon project TRANSFORMIT and the Integrative Forest Management Indicators developed within the project. It explores how Integrative Forest Management can help forests meet multiple, often competing demands. This article was first published in Forestry & Energy, Ireland’s practitioner magazine for the forestry and energy sectors.